Soap holder

ABSTRACT

A soap holder formed of a slick suitable material of a shape to hold a conventional or oversize bar of soap. The holder includes a generally rectangular base creased at its center line to form a shallow V-shape, a pair of legs at the side edges of the base and of such configuration that the center-creased base is forwardly inclined thus forming a slanted trough for rapid run-off of water and soap suds automatically into a wash basin, and a bar soap retainer formed of at least one flange extending upwardly from the base and spaced from at least a portion of the base at its center line to allow for water run-off.

United States Patent [191 Geary [451 Oct. 7, 1975 SOAP HOLDER 22 Filed:Dec. 17, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 425,501

9/1951 Germany ..3l2/351 2/1960 France ..312/351 PrimaryExaminer-William H. Schultz Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James A. Geppert[57] ABSTRACT A soap holder formed of a slick suitable material of ashape to hold a conventional or oversize bar of soap. The holderincludes a generally rectangular base creased at its center line to forma shallow V-shape, a pair of legs at the side edges of the base and ofsuch configuration that the center-creased base is forwardly inclinedthus forming a slanted trough for rapid runoff of water and soap sudsautomatically into a wash basin, and a bar soap retainer formed of atleast one flange extending upwardly from the base and spaced from atleast a portion of the base at its center line to allow for waterrun-off.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SOAP HOLDER BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION In most instances, present-day bathroom and kitchen sinks havesome form of bar soap holder or receptacle; a common type consisting ofa depression in a ledge or shelf surrounding the sink of a size andshape to retain a bar of soap and a narrow channel extending from thedepression or recess to the basin to allow for the run-off of soapywater accumulated from the soap and hands during washing under runningwater or with the basin partially filled. However, sufficient water isretained in the depression to preclude drying of the soap betweenwashings and to soften and allow abrasion or erosion of the soap.

Many solutions have been offered without fully solving the problem. Arectangular piece of sponge or pad of absorbent material has beenutilized in the basin recess or depression to soak up excess water andsoap suds and to provide a rest for the soap bar. However, the soaptends to stick to the pad and softened soap wears off onto the pad, andthe accumulated water and soap must periodically be rinsed out of thepad.

Soap dishes have been used to prevent unsightly runoff and soap scumaccumulation; however, liquid builds up in the dish and, even when thedish has one or more drain openings, the soap scum clogs the holes andthe excess liquid softens and dissolves the soap bar. Also, recessedsoap dishes for bath tubs and soap dishes with ejecting means have beentried but found to be inefficient.

A further attempt to overcome these problems has resulted in a soap restwhich has a number of projections on which the soap res-ts spaced from abase or in a V-shaped cradle formed of a pair of lattice work shelvespositioned at an angle to each other and joined at a common centerline.However, these members allow the water drippings -and soft soap scum tofall down through the holder onto the sink flat surface or soapdepression. Another type of holder utilizes a plu' rality of smallsuction cups to hold the soap away from a base portion. However, themyriad suction cups each tends to scrape and suck away the wet soap muchfaster than through normal use. The present invention obviates all ofthese problems.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a novelsoap holder which will provide a rapid and directed flow of water andwatery soap suds from the hands, the holder and soap bar into the tub,sink or basin bowl without accumulating on a shelf or in a recess formedon the basin. The holder forms a trough of a wide V-shape which isinclined downwardly and forwardly and promotes water run-off, and theupstanding retaining member are speced from the centerline of the troughso as not to hinder water flow.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel soapholder which substantially prevents undue erosion of the soap bar andpermits rapid drying of the soap after use. The holder includes a down-A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novelsoap holder that provides for the least possible soap scuff-off orerosion during use. As the holder contacts the soap at four minimalareas, the possibility of soap scuff-off onto the holder is minimized.Additionally, the holder with or without the soap resting thereon may bedipped into or passed under the running faucet water for more thoroughcleansing and therefore more rapid drying of the soap bar and holder.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity,efficiency, economy and ease of assembly, and such further objects,advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and areinherently possessed thereby.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form ofsoap holder positioned at the edge of a shelf of a wash basin.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the holder.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the holder.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the holder.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of soap holder.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the holder of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION. OF THE EMBODIMENTS Referring more particularly to thedisclosure in the drawing wherein are shown illustrative embodiments ofthe present invention, FIGS. 1 to 4 disclose a soap holder 10 having abase or platform formed of a pair of identical inwardly and downwardlyinclined base sections 11 and 12 meeting at a centerline 13 in an obtuseangle forming a trough. Integral with the base sections and extendingdownwardly at substantially right angles thereto are a pair of dependingleg members 14 and 15 extending along the outer edges 16 of the basesections. The rear edge 17 of each leg is longer than the front edge 18,thereby forming a generally trapezoidal configuration so that the holderbase is inclined forwardly and downwardly as more clearly seen in FIG.4.

Formed integral with the base sections 11 and 12 are a pair of soapretaining members or supports 19 and 21 which extend inwardly from theouter edges 16 to terminate short of the centerline 13. The supports 19and 21 extend upwardly at substantially right angles to the planes ofthe base sections and, as seen in FIG. 3, are each oriented at an angleto the centerline 13 to form a generally open V-shape. The inner edges22 of the supports 19 and 21 are spaced from the centerline 13 and eachother to allow relatively free flow of liquid down the trough inclinedforwardly and downwardly due to the configuration of the legs 14 and 15.

Soap holder 10 is formed of a suitable material, such as polyethylenehaving a slick, non-stick surface, or of another non-stick non-plasticmaterial. The base sections 11 and 12 and legs 14 and 15, if plastic,could be formed as a'flat sheet with the upstanding soap supports 19 and21 projecting upwardly therefrom and the sheet is berit upwardly at thecenterline 13 to form the trough and downwardly at the edges 16 to formthe legs, or it could be vacuum formed in one piece. As

holder providing a self-positioning function for the bar of soap. Theforward edge 24 of the holder is positioned at or slightly overlappingthe edge of the basin shelf or ledge to direct the water and soap sudsrunoff down the trough and into the basin.

As seen, both inwardly and forwardly downwardly inclined base sections11 and 12 joined at the centerline 13 form a troughlike structure thatdirects water and soap suds inwardly to the centerline and then down thetrough to spill over the edge 24. Also, the angled position of thesupports 19 and 21 enhances the run-off of liquid toward the centerline,and the spaced inner edges 22 allow unencumbered flow down the trough.Also, as seen in FIG. 1, the base sections 11 and 12 and supports 19 and21 engage and retain the soap at four minimum areas of contact andprovide a substantial area of the bar for drying and minimize soapscuff-off.

FIGS. 5 through 8 disclose the preferred embodiment of soap holder 31which includes a pair of inwardly and downwardly inclined base sections32 and 33 meeting at a centerline 34 forming a trough. Integral with thebase sections and extending downwardly at the outer edges 35 of the basesections and at substantially right angles to the shelf or ledge 36 area pair of generally parallel depending leg members 37 and 38 having arear edge 39 which is longer and thereby higher than the front edge 41.Thus, the trough at the centerline 34 is inclined downwardly andforwardly, as clearly seen in FIG. 7, so that there is an unimpededdirected flow of water over the front edge 42 of the holder and into thebasin defined by the shelf 36.

Positioned over the trough is a soap retainer or bar 43 formed of a pairof inwardly and downwardly inclined retainer flanges 44 and 45 which areforwardly inclined toward the edges 42 of the holder 31 and joined at aV-joint or obtuse angle 46. The flanges terminate at their outer ends ina pair of support flanges 47 and 48 that are parallel to the leg members37 and 38. The support flanges 47, 48 are either secured to the basesections surfaces 32 and 33 at their outer side edges through the slotsor vacuum formed infixedly to sections 32 and 33 at the aforementionedpoints.

As more clearly seen in FIG. 6, the angle of inclination of the retainerflanges 47, 48 is less than the angle of inclination of the basesections 32, 33 so that the lower edges 49 of the retainer flanges arespaced from the upper surfaces of the base sections 32, 33 at thecenterline 34, and the spacing decreases towards the outer edges 35. Thespacing will aid in the unimpeded directed flow of dripping water andsoap suds from the bar of soap and the user.

Soap holders 10 or 31 may be fabricated in either one or two pieces of asuitable material and if non-plastic, with the base sections 32 and 33and leg members 37 and 38 pre-formed to form the trough at thecenterline 34 and the leg members at the edges 35. If the retainer 43 isformed as a separate piece, this piece will be made to form the V-joint46 between the support flanges 47 and 48 which are then suitably placedinto slots 50 punched through the faces of the base sections 32, 33 neartheir outer side edges. Or the holder made of plastic could also bevacuum formed infixedly as a finished one-piece unit. As in the previousunit, the bar of soap is supported at four small areas with the bareither flat or on edge to promote quick drying and prevent erosion andabrasion of the soap surface.

1 claim:

l. A receptacle for a bar of soap comprising a base forming a V-shapedtrough downwardly and forwardly inclined with the lower front edgeadapted to be positioned in substantial alignment with the edge of aledge for a basin bowl, said base being formed of a pair of inwardly anddownwardly inclined base sections intersecting at a centerline in anobtuse angle to provide the trough, a pair of depending legs of agenerally trapezoidal shape integral with the base sections at the outeredges thereof, each leg extending the length of the edge of the basewith the height of the rear edge of the legs being greater than theheight of the leg front edge, and an upstanding soap retaining meansextending substantially across the base and adapted to contact the soapbar at very limited areas, said soap retaining means being slightlyspaced from the base at at least the center of the trough and generallyinclined toward the centerline thereof to direct flow of waterand soapsuds into the center of the trough and then automatically downwardlyover the lower front edge.

2. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said retaining meansincludes a flange extending upwards at a generally right angle to eachbase section and extending from adjacent the outer edge of each basesection to terminate short of the centerline, said flanges beingslightly inclined to direct the flow of water and soap suds into thecenter of the trough and allow an unimpeded flow of water down thecenter of the trough and over the lower front edge into the basin bowl.

3. A receptacle as set forth in claim 2, in which each flange isinclined forwardly from its outer edge towards the lower front edge andat an acute angle with the centerline.

4. A receptacle for a bar of soap comprising a base forming a V-shapedtrough downwardly and forwardly inclined with the lower front edgeadapted to be positioned in substantial alignment with the edge of aledge for a basin bowl, said base being formed of a pair of inwardly anddownwardly inclined base sections intersecting at a centerline in anobtuse angle to provide the trough, and an upstanding soap retainingmeans extending substantially across the base and adapted to contact-thesoap bar at very limited areas, said soap retaining means including anupwardly extending unitary bar formed of a pair of flanges intersectingat a centerline in an obtuse angle, and supporting means at the outeredges of the flanges adapted to be secured adjacent the outer edges ofthe base sections, said bar being slightly spaced from the base at atleast the center of the trough and generally inclined towards thecenterline thereof to direct flow of water and soap suds into the centerof the trough and then automatically downwardly over the lower frontedge.

5. A receptacle as set forth in claim 4, in which said bar has a loweredge diverging away from each base section from the outer edge to thetrough centerline so that the bar centerline is spaced from the troughcenterline with the spacing decreasing toward the outer edges.

6. A receptacle as set forth in claim 5, in which said supporting meanscomprises a pair of support flanges integral with said soap retainingbar, and a pair of depending legs integral with the outer edges of thebase sections, said support flanges being parallel to the depending legsand secured to the base sections adjacent the legs.

7. A receptacle as set forth in claim 6, in which each base section hasa slot formed therein adjacent the outer edge thereof, and each supportflange has a depending lower edge received into its respective slot.

8. A receptacle as set forth in claim 6, in which said soap retainingbar and supporting means are integral with said base sections.

9. A receptacle for a bar of soap comprising a base forming a V-shapedtrough downwardly and forwardly inclined with the lower front edgeadapted to be positioned in substantial alignment with the edge of aledge for a basin bowl, said base being formed of a pair of inwardly anddownwardly inclined base sections intersecting at a centerline in anobtuse angle to provide the trough, and an upstanding soap retainingmeans extending substantially across the base and adapted to contact thesoap bar at very limited areas, said soap retaining means including anupwardly extending unitary retainer bar, and support flanges integralwith and depending from said bar and adapted to be secured to said basesections, each base section having a slot formed therein receiving arespective support flange, said bar being slightly spaced from the baseat at least the center of the trough and generally inclined toward thecenterline thereof to direct flow of water and soap suds into the centerand then automatically downwardly over the lower front edge.

1. A receptacle for a bar of soap comprising a base forming a Vshapedtrough downwardly and forwardly inclined with the lower front edgeadapted to be positioned in substantial alignment with the edge of aledge for a basin bowl, said base being formed of a pair of inwardly anddownwardly inclined base sections intersecting at a centerline in anobtuse angle to provide the trough, a pair of depending legs of agenerally trapezoidal shape integral with the base sections at the outeredges thereof, each leg extending the length of the edge of the basewith the height of the rear edge of the legs being greater than theheight of the leg front edge, and an upstanding soap retaining meansextending substantialLy across the base and adapted to contact the soapbar at very limited areas, said soap retaining means being slightlyspaced from the base at at least the center of the trough and generallyinclined toward the centerline thereof to direct flow of water and soapsuds into the center of the trough and then automatically downwardlyover the lower front edge.
 2. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1,wherein said retaining means includes a flange extending upwards at agenerally right angle to each base section and extending from adjacentthe outer edge of each base section to terminate short of thecenterline, said flanges being slightly inclined to direct the flow ofwater and soap suds into the center of the trough and allow an unimpededflow of water down the center of the trough and over the lower frontedge into the basin bowl.
 3. A receptacle as set forth in claim 2, inwhich each flange is inclined forwardly from its outer edge towards thelower front edge and at an acute angle with the centerline.
 4. Areceptacle for a bar of soap comprising a base forming a V-shaped troughdownwardly and forwardly inclined with the lower front edge adapted tobe positioned in substantial alignment with the edge of a ledge for abasin bowl, said base being formed of a pair of inwardly and downwardlyinclined base sections intersecting at a centerline in an obtuse angleto provide the trough, and an upstanding soap retaining means extendingsubstantially across the base and adapted to contact the soap bar atvery limited areas, said soap retaining means including an upwardlyextending unitary bar formed of a pair of flanges intersecting at acenterline in an obtuse angle, and supporting means at the outer edgesof the flanges adapted to be secured adjacent the outer edges of thebase sections, said bar being slightly spaced from the base at at leastthe center of the trough and generally inclined towards the centerlinethereof to direct flow of water and soap suds into the center of thetrough and then automatically downwardly over the lower front edge.
 5. Areceptacle as set forth in claim 4, in which said bar has a lower edgediverging away from each base section from the outer edge to the troughcenterline so that the bar centerline is spaced from the troughcenterline with the spacing decreasing toward the outer edges.
 6. Areceptacle as set forth in claim 5, in which said supporting meanscomprises a pair of support flanges integral with said soap retainingbar, and a pair of depending legs integral with the outer edges of thebase sections, said support flanges being parallel to the depending legsand secured to the base sections adjacent the legs.
 7. A receptacle asset forth in claim 6, in which each base section has a slot formedtherein adjacent the outer edge thereof, and each support flange has adepending lower edge received into its respective slot.
 8. A receptacleas set forth in claim 6, in which said soap retaining bar and supportingmeans are integral with said base sections.
 9. A receptacle for a bar ofsoap comprising a base forming a V-shaped trough downwardly andforwardly inclined with the lower front edge adapted to be positioned insubstantial alignment with the edge of a ledge for a basin bowl, saidbase being formed of a pair of inwardly and downwardly inclined basesections intersecting at a centerline in an obtuse angle to provide thetrough, and an upstanding soap retaining means extending substantiallyacross the base and adapted to contact the soap bar at very limitedareas, said soap retaining means including an upwardly extending unitaryretainer bar, and support flanges integral with and depending from saidbar and adapted to be secured to said base sections, each base sectionhaving a slot formed therein receiving a respective support flange, saidbar being slightly spaced from the base at at least the center of thetrough and generally inclined toward the centerline thereof to directflow of water and soap suds into The center and then automaticallydownwardly over the lower front edge.